2014 ford focus Model Overview

Overall Rating:

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3 of 5

Vehicle Overview

The Ford Focus is the automaker’s compact offering in sedan and four-door hatchback forms. They range in styles from the high-volume four-cylinder S and SE, to the upscale Titanium, and the performance-oriented ST model, though all Focus models tend to be sportier than the competition.

Summary

The compact Ford Focus is available in a variety of different forms, from the simple S sedan, to the miserly SFE. The Focus S, SE, and Titanium all come with a 2.0-liter I-4 that produces 160 hp and 146 lb-ft of torque with an EPA-estimated 26-27/36-37 mpg city/highway. A six-speed automatic is available on the S, SE, and Titanium while the SE I-4 is offered with an SFE package that bumps the EPA estimate to 28/40 mpg city/highway with the automatic transmission. The S is only available as a sedan, but the SE and Titanium can be had in either body style.

The high-performance Focus ST gets a turbocharged 2.0-liter EcoBoost I-4, which delivers 252 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque with an EPA estimated 23/32 mpg city/highway and comes exclusively with a six-speed manual transmission and only as a four-door hatchback.

The 2014 Ford Focus has a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA (out of a possible five stars). The IIHS designated the sedan and hatchback Top Safety Picks for 2014. The Focus is the first vehicle in its class to offer Active Park Assist, which can identify a parallel parking space and maneuver into it, with minimal driver input.

Focus EV

The Ford Focus Electric comes only as a four-door hatchback and has an automatic transmission. It gets a 107kW electric motor, fed by a 23kWh liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery that will fully charge on an at-home 240V charging station in about four hours. It can reach 84 mph, has an EPA-estimated range of 76 miles on a single charge, and gets and EPA estimated 110/99 mpg-e city/highway.

New for 2014

The Ford Focus now has an SE Sport Package that includes sport cloth seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, and an available rear spoiler. The high-end Titanium trim level now has an optional five-speed manual transmission.

What We Think

The 2014 Ford Focus appeals to a wide audience with its many trims and powertrains, and we enjoy the sporting side that’s brought out by a manual transmission. We noted in the First Test of a 2014 Focus Titanium that “the Focus feels right at home on curvy back roads, where its chassis feels planted and solid, even through mid-corner bumps.” The automatic transmission leaves something to be desired, but it’s adequate for commuting with the occasional spirited driving. Front leg room and trunk space are in line with the competition, but as we noted in a First Test of the Titanium, rear seat leg room is noticeably less than the Civic and Corolla.

In a Focus ST First Test, we said it “is one of the best-handling front-wheel-drive cars ever built.” That being said, in the same test the editor notes, “I haven’t felt torque steer like this in a very long time. In fact, I’ve driven GTIs with 400 hp at the wheel that were more docile than this Ford.” That 270 lb-ft of torque are available right at 2,500 rpm, which makes for quite an exciting launch. In a comparison against the Subaru BRZ the Focus ST was faulted for its excessive torque-steer, lack of steering feel, and a difficult to handle nature when near the limit. While entertaining for the boy-racer segment, the ST lacked the refinement of the BRZ.

In a First Test of a 2012 Focus SFE, the SE with the Super Fuel Economy package, we noted that while the SFE makes significant fuel economy improvements over the standard Focus lineup, it’s not the most fuel-efficient car at that price point, as it’s beaten by the Prius C and the Honda Insight (discontinued after the 2014 model year).

Rating

2014 Ford Focus Pricing

Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price

$16,810

Certified Pre Owned Pricewhat is this?

$11,925

Certified Pre-Owned Price is the approximate price a consumer can expect to pay at a dealership for a used vehicle that has passed the manufacturer's certification process. This price applies only to vehicles covered under an automaker's CPO program, not to a dealership's own "certified" used price.

Recalls

The incorrect signals could cause the vehicle to hesitate or the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Recall Date

0000-00-00

Description

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Escape vehicles manufactured October 5, 2011, to April 1, 2013, and equipped with 2.0 liter engines and Focus ST vehicles manufactured February 14, 2012, to October 14, 2013, and equipped with 2.0 liter engines. Insufficient compression in the engine wiring harness splices to the Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) sensor may provide incorrect signals to the powertrain control module (PCM).

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the current crimped splices with new splices, free of charge. The recall began in October 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S17.

Units Affected

133227

Recall ID#14V514000 - STEERING

Consequence

The incorrectly manufactured steering gears may cause impaired steering, including the loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Recall Date

0000-00-00

Description

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2014 Focus and C-Max vehicles manufactured August 8, 2014, to August 15, 2014. The affected vehicles may have steering gears that were incorrectly assembled.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering gears, free of charge. The recall began on November 11, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S18.

Units Affected

508

Recall ID#14V525000 - FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY

Consequence

A reduction in fuel pressure may result in a vehicle stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Recall Date

0000-00-00

Description

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2014 Ford Focus vehicles manufactured May 1, 2014, to May 24, 2014, 2014 Ford Escape vehicles manufactured on June 6, 2014, and 2015 Lincoln MKC vehicles manufactured June 4, 2014, to July 7, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the Fuel Delivery Module (FDM) may crack between the filter body and the filter cap, possibly resulting in low fuel pressure.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the FDM, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S20.

Units Affected

301

Recall ID#15V005000 - FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Consequence

If the fuel pump fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.

Recall Date

0000-00-00

Description

Ford Motor Company (Ford) notified the agency on January 8, 2015, that they are recalling certain model year 2014 Ford Escape vehicles manufactured April 15, 2014, to May 8, 2014, and 2015 Lincoln MKC vehicles manufactured April 21, 2014, to May 15, 2014. On April 30, 2015, Ford expanded the recall to cover an additional 45,505 vehicles, including certain model year 2014-2015 Ford Transit Connect vehicles manufactured November 11, 2013, to August 29, 2014, 2014-2015 Ford Fiesta vehicles manufactured April 10, 2014, to June 17, 2014 and 2014 Ford Edge vehicles manufactured April 30, 2014, to May 21, 2014. Improper nickel plating of components within the fuel pump may result in the fuel pump failing.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began on February 27, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S30.

Units Affected

54543

Recall ID#15V813000 - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

Consequence

The incorrect signals could cause the vehicle to hesitate or the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Recall Date

0000-00-00

Description

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013 Escape vehicles manufactured January 11, 2012, to April 1, 2013, and 2013-2014 Focus ST vehicles manufactured May 03, 2012, to October 14, 2013. Insufficient compression in the engine wiring harness splices to the Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) sensor may provide incorrect signals to the powertrain control module (PCM).

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the current crimped splices with new splices, free of charge. The recall began on January 7, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S17-S1.

2014 Ford Focus News and Reviews

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